der
Rubel
💰 What exactly is 'der Rubel'?
The word Rubel (article: der) is the German name for the currency unit of several countries, most notably Russia and Belarus. Historically, it was also the currency of the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire.
There's only this one meaning for the word 'Rubel' in German, and it's always masculine (der Rubel).
- Russischer Rubel: The official currency of the Russian Federation (currency code: RUB).
- Belarussischer Rubel: The official currency of Belarus (currency code: BYN).
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse the Rubel with other currencies like the Euro (€) or the Dollar ($).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-el → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. there are many -el words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar of 'der Rubel': Declension in Detail
The noun 'Rubel' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Rubel | ein Rubel | Rubel |
| Genitive | des Rubels | eines Rubels | Rubels |
| Dative | dem Rubel | einem Rubel | Rubel |
| Accusative | den Rubel | einen Rubel | Rubel |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Rubel | - Rubel | Rubel |
| Genitive | der Rubel | - Rubel | Rubel |
| Dative | den Rubeln | - Rubeln | Rubeln |
| Accusative | die Rubel | - Rubel | Rubel |
Example Sentences
- Der aktuelle Wechselkurs des Rubels ist gefallen.
(The current exchange rate of the Ruble has fallen.) - Ich habe noch 500 Rubel von meiner letzten Reise.
(I still have 500 Rubles from my last trip.) - Kann ich hier mit Rubeln bezahlen?
(Can I pay with Rubles here?) - Ein Brot kostet etwa 40 Rubel.
(A loaf of bread costs about 40 Rubles.)
💡 How to Use 'der Rubel'
The term 'Rubel' is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Economics and Finance: In news, reports about exchange rates, inflation, trade with Russia or Belarus.
- Travel: When travelling to Russia or Belarus and needing to exchange money.
- History: In the context of the Soviet Union or the Russian Empire.
Typical phrases:
- Der Rubelkurs / Der Kurs des Rubels (The Ruble exchange rate)
- In Rubel bezahlen / umrechnen (To pay / convert in Rubles)
- Der Rubel fällt / steigt (The Ruble falls / rises)
- Soundso viel Rubel kosten (To cost so-and-so many Rubles)
The abbreviation for the Russian Ruble is RUB, for the Belarusian Ruble it's BYN.
🧠 Mnemonics to Help Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of money 'rolling'. Der Rubel rollt (The Ruble rolls). The 'rolling' helps remember the masculine article 'der'.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone in Russia laden ('be-laden') with a sack of money – a sack full of Rubels. Or, connect 'Rubel' to the English word 'rubble', imagining piles of coins like rubble (though hopefully worth more!).
🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
⚠️ There aren't really any misleading words commonly confused with 'Rubel' as it's a very specific term.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt ein Tourist in Moskau: „Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie mir sagen, wie viel Uhr es ist?“
Antwortet ein Einheimischer: „Klar, für 10 Rubel!“
EN: A tourist in Moscow asks: "Excuse me, can you tell me what time it is?"
A local replies: "Sure, for 10 Rubles!"
📜 Poem about the Rubel
DE:
Der Rubel rollt, mal auf, mal ab,
In Moskau und im fernen Minsk knapp.
Ein Erbe aus Zarenzeit,
Mal stark, mal schwach, durch Sturm er reit'.
Sein Wert erzählt von Öl und Gas,
Ein Währungspuls, oft blass, oft krass.
EN:
The Ruble rolls, now up, now down,
In Moscow and in Minsk's town.
An heir from Tsarist times of old,
Sometimes strong, sometimes less bold.
Its value tells of oil and gas,
A currency pulse, sometimes pale, sometimes crass.
❓ Little Riddle
DE:
Ich bin Geld, doch nicht in Euroland,
Man zahlt mit mir in Russlands Sand.
Mein Name klingt, als könnt' ich rollen,
Weißrussland will mich auch behollen.
Wer bin ich? Lösung: Der Rubel
EN:
I am money, but not in Euro land,
You pay with me in Russia's sand.
My name sounds like I could roll,
Belarus wants me in its hold.
What am I? Solution: Der Rubel (The Ruble)
🧩 Other Information
- Etymology: The word 'Rubel' comes from the Russian verb „рубить“ (rubit), meaning „to chop“ or „to cut off“. Originally, it referred to pieces cut off a silver ingot. (DE: Das Wort 'Rubel' stammt vom russischen Verb „рубить“ (rubit) ab, was „hacken“ oder „abschlagen“ bedeutet. Ursprünglich bezog es sich auf abgeschnittene Stücke eines Silberbarrens.)
- Subunit: One Ruble is divided into 100 Kopeks (копейка). (DE: Ein Rubel wird in 100 Kopeken (копейка) unterteilt.)
- Symbol: The official symbol for the Russian Ruble is ₽. (DE: Das offizielle Symbol für den Russischen Rubel ist ₽.)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Rubel?
The word "Rubel" refers to a currency unit (primarily Russian and Belarusian) and is always masculine. The correct article is der Rubel.